Many residents of Atlanta have turned to home security systems to protect themselves but according to “master thief” turned consultant Walter Shaw, they may not be getting the most benefit out of the systems they use. Shaw calls on his real life experience as a burglar to give homeowners thesehome safety tipsto improve the security of their homes and make thieves think twice before attempting to break in.

Make Sure Your Home Security Signs Are Visible
Shaw says that a thief’s favorite entry point is the back door. It’s out of the line of sight and a large number of homeowners in Atlanta have arcadia and sliding glass doors, which tend to have flimsy locks. Posting a home security sign in the backyard makes thieves think twice before attempting to get into your home.

Bolster Your Backyard
Since backyards are the favorite entry point of criminals, it’s important to bolster the security in this area. Adding a supplemental key lock to sliding or French doors boosts the security of the door.
If you’ve got a fence, make sure the gate is securely locked at all times. Also, don’t leave tools and lawn equipment out in the backyard. Lock away these items in a shed or garage to keep them secure.
Perhaps the most overlooked security issue in backyards is overgrown trees and hedges. Trim these up so that your backyard is more visible, giving thieves little place to hide.

Make Sure To Arm Your Security System
Turning your system on seems like a no-brainer, but homeowners will often leave their security systems off during the day. According to Shaw, daylight does not deter burglars. In fact, daylight theft occurs often since most homeowners are not home at that time. Arm your security system even if you’re only stepping out for a few minutes. It only takes that amount of time for a master thief to break in.

Consider Adding Video Surveillance
Thieves who break into homes rarely wear a mask. They want to appear as inconspicuous as possible. And since they want to get in and out quickly, most will not want to have to stop and disarm a video surveillance system. Adding one to your home security helps to deter criminals who don’t want to risk being caught on tape.

In a large city like Atlanta,safety in the homeis paramount. Get the most out of your home security system by being vigilant and taking these extra steps to keep your home free from criminals.